The Mersey Gateway Project

Mersey Gateway’s Runcorn Information centre closes as business moves in

August 16, 2017LornaNews

After welcoming nearly 10,000 visitors through its doors, the Mersey Gateway’s Runcorn Information centre is to close, to make way for a successful expansion of an existing retailer at the Shopping City.

Since opening in February 2016, the centre, which is based at Runcorn Shopping City, has provided local residents and visitors from across the UK and around the world, with an insight into Halton’s iconic bridge and road project.

The centre’s last day will be on Thursday, August 17, as it closes to make way for an existing retailer that is expanding into a larger premises.

Once the Runcorn centre has closed, printed information about the project will be available from Runcorn Direct Link and Library. The visitor centre at the Catalyst Museum in Widnes will be the focal point for details about the Mersey Gateway project, its history, heritage and ambitions.

Information about tolling will be provided at the Merseyflow Walk-in Centre at 9 Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn.

Between them, the Widnes and Runcorn visitor centres have welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors through their doors.

Neil Wilcock, Employment and Skills Co-ordinator with Merseylink, said since opening, the Runcorn centre had been extremely popular.

“The site at Shopping City has been a great location for us to meet and chat to people about the project,” he said.

“We’ve had visitors from across Halton, as well as from other parts of the UK and around the world.

“Our volunteers have done a great job passing on their enthusiasm for the new bridge and what it will mean for Halton.”

“Neil said discussions were ongoing between Merseylink and the Mersey Gateways Crossings Board to try and identify a new site for a Runcorn centre.

David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked at the Information centre for their efforts. They’ve done a great job spreading the good news about this landmark road and bridge project, and have helped generate significant interest from local residents.

“It’s great to see a retailer expand within shopping City, and shows Halton business is flourishing.

“While the Runcorn centre may be closing, remember you can still collect information about the project from the Runcorn HDL and Library or if you wish to speak to someone then please drop in to our Widnes centre to talk to our volunteers and learn more about the project.”

Visitors to the Widnes centre, based at the Catalyst Museum, can use a variety of interactive display screens to access information about the project, including videos, photographs, and a live site webcam.

Volunteers at the Widnes centre are fully trained by Merseylink, and are available to answer questions about the Mersey Gateway’s history and heritage, and the construction side of the project.

It is open from 10am-4pm, Tuesday through to Sunday (the Catalyst Museum is closed on Mondays apart from during the school holidays and bank holidays). Please note that the Catalyst Museum, and Mersey Gateway visitor Centre, will close for annual maintenance from 2 to 9 September inclusive.

If you would like to find out more about the Mersey Gateway project, please visit: www.merseygateway.co.uk

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